Delta Electricity engages Entura to support Vales Point solar farm

Specialist power and water consulting firm Entura has been appointed by Delta Electricity to provide engineering services to support the development of the proposed Vales Point power station solar farm.

Located near the Vales Point coal power station, on the southern shores of Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales’ Central Coast, the solar photovoltaic facility is expected to be established on approximately 70 hectares of rehabilitated land. An initial solar capacity assessment indicates the potential for up to 45 MW of renewable energy to be generated by 170,000 solar panels.

Entura will deliver specialist consulting services related to functional design, EPC specifications and grid connection studies to advance the developmental work undertaken so far, and support Delta Electricity with progressing towards achieving financial closure for the project.

“Entura’s renewable energy credentials and expertise makes them the ideal partner to help us with advancing the development of the Vales Point solar farm and preparing it for financial closure,” said Delta Electricity Company Secretary Steve Gurney.

“This is an exciting project for Delta Electricity in terms of its scale and the potential for expansion down the track providing a significant contribution to state and federal government renewable energy targets.”

The proposed solar project is expected to involve a capital investment in excess of $30 million and generate 100 construction jobs over 18 months. Once environmental and development approvals are obtained, a final investment decision will be made and construction could commence in 2018.

Commenting on the appointment, Entura’s Director Customer Strategy and Market Development Dale Bryce said: “We’re pleased to be selected to work on this exciting project that will contribute to the transition of regional New South Wales to a cleaner, renewable energy generation future.”

Entura has significant renewable energy development experience from pre-feasibility right through to commissioning, optimising operations and asset management of utility-scale solar farms and wind farms.

Partnering with clients in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region, the firm has built a strong understanding of solar layout design optimisation, detailed electrical design, power system studies and grid connection issues, storage and the integration of hybrid renewable energy projects.